A Thomas Cook spokesman told the BBC they had not needed to discount prices to attract people to visit Tunisia.

"We've always had good demand for these holidays and Tunisia has always been a good value destination," he said.

He added that the company had so far taken 15,000 UK bookings up to the end of the summer.

An Easter holiday for a family of four to a Thomas Cook own brand hotel in Tunisia would cost about £2,000, roughly £250 per person cheaper than a similar holiday in Gran Canaria in Spain.

Flights from Birmingham and Manchester were leaving on Tuesday, with another going out from Gatwick on Wednesday.

The company will continue to fly out three planes each week until April, when a flight from Glasgow will be added.

By May, there will be six flights each week, with Stansted and Newcastle added to the list of departure points.

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Media captionTunisian police raid suspected terrorist hideout

Britain's ambassador to Tunis, Louise de Sousa, said when asked if Tunisia is safe enough now for British tourists to return: "No country can be 100% safe [from terrorism].

"But we are satisfied that Tunisia has made substantial progress and I would encourage Britons to come and visit. This country has so much to offer."

However, Alan Bowen, an adviser for the African Travel and Tourism Association, told the BBC he wouldn't visit the country.

"It's a very brave move starting these flights," he said. "Tunisia has improved security, but the country borders Libya, which is in a state of chaos.

"I wouldn't go because I don't think it's safe."

'Safer there than at home'

BBC News website readers who contacted us on the whole had no qualms about visiting the country, with several saying they have "never felt unsafe" there.

Samantha Leakey was in Sousse when the 2015 attack happened. She told the BBC: "I went back a month later and have been going there every six to eight weeks ever since. I feel safer walking alone in the streets of Sousse than I do in my home town in the UK."

Sabrine Herridge said: "I have visited Tunisia each year since the attacks. I have already booked my ticket for this summer and will be spending three-and-a-half weeks visiting different areas. They rely on our tourism, and hopefully these new packages will encourage people to give the country a second chance."

Charlotte James said: "My husband and I have booked our summer holiday to Tunisia in June. I don't think any country is truly safe from terrorism. In Britain alone we've had many terrorist attacks, yet people continue to come here for their holidays. If you spend your life living in fear, you'll never go on holiday anywhere."

Marc Scott admitted that he and his partner were "a bit apprehensive" before booking a holiday in Tunisia, but said: "We then realised if we lived our lives with fear of what other people may do, then that isn't living at all. Terrorism can strike at any moment anywhere, so now I am not worried in the slightest, I'm just excited."